Latest news with #Gerovich
Arabian Post
14-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Metaplanet Doubles Bitcoin Holdings with Bold $95m Purchase
Tokyo-listed Metaplanet has bolstered its treasury by buying 797 additional bitcoins, worth approximately $96 million, raising its total holdings to 16,352 BTC—valued near $2 billion—as Bitcoin surged past $120,000. The move mirrors the blueprint of US-based Strategy: leverage equity and debt issuance to accumulate crypto assets, which can then be used as collateral for broader expansion. CEO Simon Gerovich reiterated that Metaplanet intends to use its growing Bitcoin reserves not for trading or liquidation, but to underpin financing for acquisitions in cash-generating sectors—particularly digital banking and financial services. The company plans to tap into traditional financing channels, including zero-interest bonds and preferred-share issuance, while steering clear of convertible debt. This purchase follows a series of substantial bond financings: earlier this month, Metaplanet issued 30 billion yen in zero‑coupon bonds to acquire an additional 1,005 BTC, bringing total holdings to around 13,350 BTC. Industry analysts say Metaplanet now ranks as Asia's largest and the world's fifth-largest corporate Bitcoin holder, outranking companies such as Tesla, Coinbase, and Block Inc.. The firm has set ambitious targets: 100,000 BTC by end‑2026 and 210,000 BTC by end‑2027—accounting for nearly 1% of the global Bitcoin supply. ADVERTISEMENT Boosted by these strategic shifts, the company's market capitalisation surpassed ¥1 trillion, and its stock has climbed more than 345% this year. The pivot, originally a hotel chain, to a Bitcoin treasury vehicle began in 2024 and has drawn parallels to MicroStrategy's transformation into a crypto-centric enterprise. While bitcoin-backed financing is still in its infancy among mainstream banks, select institutions—such as Standard Chartered and OKX—have begun piloting crypto as collateral. Gerovich emphasised that once accumulation reaches 'escape velocity,' Metaplanet's holdings could be leveraged similarly to traditional assets to secure financing for acquisitions. Sceptics voice concerns around volatility and the sustainability of the 'bitcoin yield' model. Veteran short-seller Jim Chanos dismissed these valuations as 'financial gibberish,' yet Gerovich welcomes critics, stating he invites them to short the stock if they are not convinced of the strategy. Metaplanet is exploring acquisitions of digital banks and financial services companies that align with its strategy. The company is also aiming to strengthen its treasury infrastructure through asset-backed financing, including bond issuances, preferred equity deals and a planned $5 billion capital raise targeting expansion into its Florida subsidiary.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Metaplanet Eyes Digital Bank as Bitcoin Reserves Top 15,000 BTC
Metaplanet is entering phase two of its bold Bitcoin (BTC-USD) strategy and it may involve buying a digital bank. The Tokyo-listed firm, which began accumulating Bitcoin in 2024 to hedge against inflation, now holds 15,555 BTC after purchasing 2,204 coins this week for $237 million. CEO Simon Gerovich said the company's next move is to start using its Bitcoin as collateral to finance acquisitions of cash-generating businesses. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 9 Warning Signs with MSTR. We think of it as a Bitcoin gold rush, Gerovich told the Financial Times. We need to accumulate as much as we can... to get to escape velocity. Metaplanet is reportedly targeting assets that align with its vision including a digital bank in Japan, which could offer services that outpace traditional retail banking. The firm's longer-term goal is to own over 210,000 BTC by 2027 about 1% of Bitcoin's total eventual supply. The company's strategy mirrors that of MicroStrategy (MSTR, Financials), leveraging crypto holdings to fund real-world expansion, but with a distinct Japanese footprint. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Metaplanet Wants to Use Bitcoin Holdings for Acquisitions: FT
Metaplanet (3350) is eyeing up "phase two" of its bitcoin treasury strategy, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing an interview with CEO Simon Gerovich. Metaplanet, which has the largest corporate bitcoin stash outside of North America, will use BTC as collateral to finance acquisitions of cash-generating businesses, Gerovich said. The Japanese hotel company turned bitcoin investor acquired 2,205 BTC this week, increasing its holdings to 15,555 BTC ($1.7 billion) and is targeting a holding of 210,000 by the end of 2027. 'We need to accumulate as much bitcoin as we can . . . to get to a point where we've reached escape velocity and it just makes it very difficult for others to catch up," Gerovich said, according to the FT's report. 'Then we have phase two . . . when bitcoin, like securities or government bonds, can be deposited with banks and then they'll provide very attractive financing against that asset. We'll get cash that we can use to buy profitable businesses, cash-flowing businesses.' Cryptocurrency-backed lending is offered by a number of crypto-native companies, but is rare among traditional banks. Gerovich added that phase one would probably last four to six years, after which it would become incrementally more difficult to acquire BTC due to tightening availability. Metaplanet's Tokyo-listed shares closed at 1,565 yen ($10.71) on Tuesday, 0.84% higher on the day. The company did not immediately respond to CoinDesk's request for further in to access your portfolio
